Why did no one go to the The Tunnel of Oppression?

Last week the Butler Career Center hosted an event titled “The Tunnel of Oppression” to bring awareness to issues that students are enduring on campus. The tunnel was a sensory-based, multimedia exhibit designed to have participants explore each issue through a guided tour of rooms designed by student organizations.

I expected there to be a significant student turnout to the tunnel. However, as I decided to take a journey through the tunnel, it was obvious I was the only one that showed up to the tour. I waited for the next round of tours through the tunnel, and still nobody turned up.

The lack of participation from students, in my opinion, is an indicative of a culture that has ultimately decided that issues highlighted in the tunnel are not of priority.

The modern society issues of oppression brought forth in the tunnel included: racism, sexism, homophobia, human trafficking, environmental disregard or climate change, and Islamophobia.

Modern issues that have been trending around UM but around the country as well. So why did no one show up?

One of many inspiring and anonymous quotes shown to would-be participants before entering the tunnel. Reads: ‘I resolve myself in a life of nonviolence, to belonging to the world, to no attachments, and to a shared humanity’

Racism has been a hot top recent across the nation with Black Lives Matter protests and activists speaking up for equality. At UM we have a diverse student body and we are proud of this. So why was no one there to learn more about how racism is affecting our fellow classmates or other people at colleges across the country?

The Tunnel of Oppression outlined from a Pew Research study stated up to 46% of African Americans have indicated that they have experienced “a lot” of discrimination and 42% stating they have experienced “some.” The African American community has been so vocal about this issue. Yet students didn’t take significant action by going to an awareness event to educate themselves on the topic of racism.

Just because it is out of our comfort zone does not mean there should be a lack of participation in The Tunnel of Oppression. If anything we should be going so we can help our classmates fight this battle and be by their side.

Pasted onto the floor of the “Environment Room”, this poster emphasizes the effects of global warming

The Tunnel of Oppression was a three day event. In those three days, I’m sure many students were available to go but they deliberately chose not to as they felt that the issues covered were “not that important” or simply didn’t find interest in them. How do we expect to help future societal changes if we lack the drive to educate ourselves on the worlds setbacks?

The event, which ended up being an embarrassment due to poor attendance and inadequacy in reaching out to students, cannot be solely blamed on UM students. The unwillingness to face social issues in today’s society is something that has frequently occurred in all areas of the world through many generations.

The only remedy to this problem is a group of people who are willing to remove themselves from their comfort zone and take action. In fact, any big changes in how society conducts itself, whether it be politically, socially, or economically, has historically only been accomplished through persistence in a vocal minority.

Similarly to how at the end of the tunnel I pledged to not let acts of oppression go unheard if I witness one, it is imperative that our generation not let these events slip under the radar.

This poster, reading “What stresses U out?”, was set outside the Learning Center for several weeks. Student answers were then displayed at the tunnel to show how certain aspects of oppression have reached student life.